Shrewsbury board looks to be proactive on 40B housing proposals

Wednesday

Jul 9, 2014 at 6:00 AMJul 9, 2014 at 1:36 PM

By Elaine Thompson TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

SHREWSBURY — Two weeks after the Board of Selectmen was presented with a 160-unit affordable housing proposal under state Chapter 40B, the board Tuesday night discussed two more proposals with a total of 315 housing units.

Housing developments built under state Chapter 40B are able to circumvent zoning and other local bylaws and regulations of a municipality where less than 10 percent of the housing units are considered by the state to be affordable for low- to moderate-income residents. At least 25 percent of a 40B project has to be set aside for tenants in that income bracket.

About 6.1 percent, or about 820, of the town's housing units meet the criteria.

Selectmen Tuesday night said local lawyer Roderick A. St. Pierre has informed the board he plans to build 189 units at 440 Hartford Turnpike (Route 20) and 126 units at 526 Hartford Turnpike.

In a June 26 letter to selectmen, Mr. St. Pierre asked to meet with the board in August regarding his proposal. The delay was requested "to study the sewer issue."

Two weeks ago, when William and Robert DePietri, owners of Southboro-based Capital Group Properties, unveiled their plans to build a 160-unit apartment complex at Walnut Street and Route 9, they had planned to tie in to the town's water and sewer systems.

But Town Manager Daniel Morgado pointed out that because of capacity issues, the town a few years ago adopted a bylaw that only grants sewer permits for commercial purposes. He said other arrangements would have to be made.

A major concern is that housing developments will draw families with a large number of children who would be enrolled in the local schools, which are already crowded. The 160-unit proposal is projected to have as many as 72 school-age children.

Town officials are also bothered that housing developers are allowed to build on valuable commercial and industrial land. The town has been trying to attract more businesses to help expand the tax base.

Selectmen Tuesday night decided to "flip the table" and use a local initiative — the so-called "friendly 40B" approach — that they used seven years ago, by which they put out requests for proposals for 40B projects, with the intention of selecting the one they think will best benefit the town.

In 2007, when the board solicited 40B proposals, selectmen made it clear they preferred a mix of housing and commercial. Three developers submitted plans, but the projects didn't work out because of the economy and other matters.

Selectmen Maurice M. DePalo and Moira E. Miller, who were on the board at the time, said the process worked well. Mr. DePalo and Selectman Henry J. Fitzgerald were appointed to update the request for proposals and bring it back to the board in August.

"Obviously, we're back in a period of 40B activity after a long hiatus. The process last time worked very well," Ms. Miller said. "It was a way for us to get some control over a process that's largely out of our control."